Talk structure & slide design
Step 1 / 3·The three-part structure and the power of the first 30 seconds
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Learning objectives — after this module you will:
- Build a talk structure with a strong open and close
- Design slides using the one-idea-per-slide rule
- Present numbers so the audience grasps the meaning at once
The three-part structure and the power of the first 30 seconds
Build a talk skeleton with a compelling open and a clear close.
Audiences decide whether to pay attention in roughly the FIRST 30 SECONDS. Yet most presentations open with: 'Hello, today I'm going to present on… First an introduction, then…'. That's the fastest way to make people reach for their phones.
There are many strong openings: a surprising number, a question that makes people think, a short story, or naming the problem that's bothering them. What they share: they're about THE AUDIENCE, not about you.
The rule of three
Human short-term memory handles about three chunks of information well. Group your talk into AT MOST 3 main points. If you have 7 things to say, cluster them into 3 groups — the audience will actually remember them.
Two ways to open
A flat opening
“'Hello everyone, I'm Minh, today I'd like to present the Q2 training report. There are 5 sections, starting with an overview…'”
It's about you and the structure, giving the audience no reason to keep listening.
A strong opening
“'Last year, 8 of our new hires left within 90 days — around 400 million VND of recruiting cost, gone. Today I'll show you why, and a fix that costs far less.'”
Opens with the audience's problem and promises a solution — now they have a reason to listen to the end.
Key takeaway: The first 30 seconds decide; open with their problem, group into 3 points, close with a specific action.